Holiday Seasonhttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/holiday-season
en-usSun, 02 Aug 2015 14:25:29 -0400Sun, 02 Aug 2015 14:25:29 -0400The latest news on Holiday Season from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/gift-cards-christmas-holiday-2014-12Here's What To Buy With The Holiday Gift Cards You Got This Yearhttp://www.businessinsider.com/gift-cards-christmas-holiday-2014-12
Fri, 26 Dec 2014 13:07:00 -0500Insider Picks
<p class="p2"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/549aa113eab8eac4050a0212-1154-865/giving-gifts-gloves-winter-3.jpg" border="0" alt="giving gifts gloves winter" style="line-height: 1.5em;"></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Gift cards are probably the best kind of gift you can get. You can pick whatever you want and don't have to deal with the hassle of returning that ugly sweater your weird aunt from Florida got you.</span></p>
<p class="p2">So trade in that shiny plastic for something like a drone, great headphones, or classic sunglasses.</p>
<p class="p2">Happy holidays.</p>
<hr>
<h1 class="p1">Target Giftcard</h1>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/549ab9f3ecad041e438b4570-725-320/screen shot 2014-12-24 at 7.54.41 am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 12 24 at 7.54.41 AM"></p>
<p><span class="s1">Beats headphones are classic, and everyone — from critics to users — loves them.</span></p>
<p>Or since it's the winter, get yourself a nice razor that'll keep your face smooth.</p>
<p><span class="s1">UNDER $50 — A hig- end razor to battle the winter beard.<br></span><a href="http://www.target.com/p/philips-norelco-shaver-3500-model-pt730-41-bonus-pack/-/A-16359838#prodSlot=_1_29">Philips Norelco Shaver 3500</a>&nbsp;— <em>Price: $49.99</em></p>
<p class="p2">UNDER $100 — A TV stand that pairs well with that new flatscreen you got.<br><a href="http://www.target.com/p/convenience-concepts-tv-stand-with-3-cabinets-black/-/A-12112548">Convenience Concepts TV Stand&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp;<em>Price: $89.99</em></p>
<form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><span style="line-height: 1.5em; color: #222222;">UNDER $200 — A great pair of headphones, pairs well with iTunes gift card.<br></span><span class="s1" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/beats-by-dre-solo-2-headphones-assorted-colors/-/A-15411691#prodSlot=_1_2">Beats by Dre Solo 2 Headphones&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $199.99</em></form><hr>
<h1 class="p1">Walmart Giftcard</h1>
<p><em style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>&nbsp;<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/549aba34ecad045c518b4567-693-295/screen shot 2014-12-24 at 7.57.00 am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 12 24 at 7.57.00 AM"></strong></em></p>
<p>At Walmart, you can pick up a solid pair of headphones or a great 16 megapixel camera.&nbsp;</p>
<p>And if you really want to go wild, check out that breathalyzer that attaches to your smartphone.</p>
<p><span class="s1">UNDER $50 — A breathalyzer for your phone; keep yourself safe on New Year's Eve.<br></span><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Breathometer/32662146">Breathometer Smartphone Breathalyzer</a>&nbsp;— Price: $49.95</p>
<p class="p2">UNDER $100 — Headphones to block out all the noise from your family.<br><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Monster-Inspiration-Noise-Isolating-Over-Ear-Headphones-Black/25983274">Monster Inspiration Noise-Isolating Over-Ear Headphones</a> —&nbsp;<em>Price: $84.99</em></p>
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<p><span>UNDER $200 — A digital camera to capture your memories in the new year.<br></span><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fujifilm-16.4-MP-FUJIFILMXP75/35511646">Fujifilm Blue FinePix Digital Camera</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price:&nbsp;<span>$198.92</span><br></em></p>
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<h1 class="p1">Macy's Giftcard</h1>
<p>&nbsp;<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/549aba676da8113d495b4a5e-714-289/screen shot 2014-12-24 at 7.58.51 am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 12 24 at 7.58.51 AM"></p>
<p>At Macy's you can get the basics like a nice wall or classic Ray-Ban sunglasses. These both will be stylish forever.</p>
<p>Or you can get yourself a fun watch — not the classic black or brown strapped options, but a fun shadowy gray and orange colored one. Go wild.</p>
<p><span class="s1">UNDER $50 — A wallet to hold all of your other gift cards.<br></span><a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/geoffrey-beene-leather-front-pocket-wallet?ID=541816&amp;CategoryID=47665">Geoffrey Beene Leather Wallet</a>&nbsp;— Price: $20.99</p>
<p class="p2">UNDER $100 — A nice casual watch that shows both the date and day of the week so you don't forget.<br><a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/swatch-watch-unisex-swiss-warm-rebel-gray-silicone-strap-41mm-suom702?ID=679149&amp;CategoryID=57386">Swatch Watch in Gray Silicone</a> —&nbsp;<em>Price: $70.00</em></p>
</form><form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><span>UNDER $200 — Classic sunglasses so you can dream of summer.<br></span><span class="s1"><a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/ray-ban-sunglasses-rb2140-50?ID=616193&amp;CategoryID=58262">Ray-Ban Sunglasses</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price:&nbsp;<span>$154.95</span></em></form><form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><hr>
<h1 class="p1">Best Buy Giftcard</h1>
<p>&nbsp;<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/549aba7d69beddb2790a020f-719-338/screen shot 2014-12-24 at 8.02.56 am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 12 24 at 8.02.56 AM"></p>
<p>Get a great audio speaker system that'll sync up with various devices. Or you can find a high-end fitness tracker that won't give off that glaringly obvious "I'm wearing a fitness tracker!" look.</p>
<p><span class="s1">UNDER $50 — A cheap but powerful audio speaker system.<br></span><a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/scosche-boomcan-2-5-w-home-audio-speaker-system-ipod-supported-black-black/1307160398.p">Scosche — boomCAN 2.5</a>&nbsp;—<em> Price: $19.45</em></p>
<p class="p2">UNDER $100 — One of the more popular wearable fitness trackers.<br><a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/jawbone-up24-wristband-large-onyx/2904342.p">Jawbone — UP24 Wristband</a> —&nbsp;<em>Price: $79.99</em></p>
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<p><span>UNDER $200 — A great wireless speaker for your home or apartment.<br></span><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sonos-play1-wireless-speaker-for-streaming-music-black/1648801.p">SONOS Play 1: Wireless Speaker for streaming music</a> —&nbsp;</span><em>Price:&nbsp;<span>$199.99</span></em></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h1 class="p1">Amazon Giftcard</h1>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/549abb216bb3f7b8400a020c-699-303/screen shot 2014-12-24 at 8.09.27 am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 12 24 at 8.09.27 AM">&nbsp;</p>
<p>A simple fitness tracker is a great way to get started on those New Year's resolutions.</p>
<p>And the drones — well, let's not beat around the bush. They're just cool.</p>
<p><span class="s1">UNDER $50 — An affordable wearable fitness tracker equipped with Bluetooth sync.<br></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFR39HW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00MFR39HW&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipgiftcards-20&amp;linkId=5UPNNJ5QNCHRC63F">Walsontop Fitness Bracelet</a>&nbsp;— Price: $34.94</p>
UNDER $100 — Learn to fly with this 6-axis Gyro stabilized drone.<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KI03U8Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00KI03U8Q&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipgiftcards-20&amp;linkId=3K4USXTVMOVZ6MJK">Syma X5C Channel Explorers Quadcopter</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;<em>Price: $65.98</em></form><form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><span>UNDER $200 — A great starter drone, but probably not an indoor activity.<br></span><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LOYLHOE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00LOYLHOE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipgiftcards-20&amp;linkId=BTDUEYDKM7ZPOHTQ">Haktoys HAK909 Large Quadcopter</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price:&nbsp;<span>$299.95</span>&nbsp;<span><strong>$125.00</strong></span></em></form><p><strong>How about a drone?:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/spy-drone-video-picture-camera-deal-2014-11#ixzz3KDjGyxLY" >The Sleek Panther Drone Is The Perfect Way To Start Flying [55% Off]</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Looking for gadgets?&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insider-picks-wearable-tech-2014-11" >Here Are 15 Hi-Tech Timepieces You'll Actually Want On Your Wrist</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gift-cards-christmas-holiday-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/what-alcohol-goes-best-with-eggnog-2014-12We Tested Which Alcohol Goes Best With Eggnog — Here Are The Resultshttp://www.businessinsider.com/what-alcohol-goes-best-with-eggnog-2014-12
Tue, 23 Dec 2014 15:43:00 -0500CORINNE CAPUTO
<p>Make this Christmas easy on everyone by having a festive, holiday drink with you at all times — and it doesn’t get more festive than <a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/51402-5-easy-eggnog-recipes-that-put-a-new-spin-on-a-holiday-classic" target="_blank">delicious spiked eggnog</a>.</p>
<p>But which pairing is the best? Eggnog is already a fairly contentious holiday drink — <a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/54366-the-7-emotional-stages-of-going-from-hating-eggnog-to-discovering-you-actually-like-it">you either love it or you hate it</a>, and if you do love it, you don’t want one bad alcohol experience ruining it for you forever.</p>
<p>So to prevent you from that fate, I sampled them all. </p>
<p>And because I wanted to make sure that these alcohol pairings were actual crowd pleasers and not just my personal preference, I enlisted two of my friends (against their will) to help with my taste test. </p>
<p>Here are my results:</p>
<h3>Peppermint Schnapps</h3>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5499c9816da81157075ef5fb-800-/9731dfa0-6a91-0132-436e-0ebc4eccb42f.jpeg" alt="alc" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 9/10. Peppermint and eggnog — it’s Christmas in a cup! </p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: Yes, my two guests were totally on board with this drink.</p>
<p>Overall score: 9/10</p>
<h3>Kraken Spiced Rum</h3>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5499c9c36bb3f7425360ef32-780-1040/97315540-6a91-0132-1826-0a7dfd902b7c.jpeg" alt="alc 2" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>This rum altered the consistency of the eggnog so I was hesitant to try it, but the flavor was actually great. Whatever spices are in the spiced rum paired well with this eggnog.</p>
<p>Taste: 8/10</p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 5/10. Besides the eggnog, nothing about this drink is especially holiday-esque.</p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: We only had enough for my drink, so my crowd was defnitely not pleased.</p>
<p>Overall score: 7/10</p>
<h3>Silver Patron</h3>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5499c9f7eab8ea5e2d8ef5b5-780-1040/972e5220-6a91-0132-4364-0ebc4eccb42f.jpeg" alt="a3" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>This smells exactly like a margarita, but it is most definitely not a margarita. I immediately gagged after sipping this.</p>
<p>Taste: 2/10. Not. Good.</p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 2/10</p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: No one was on board with this one, which I guess is understandable since this is basically a summer margarita but with dairy — yuck.</p>
<p>Overall: 2/10. I gave this two points in case there are people who actually like to drink margaritas on Christmas, you weirdos.</p>
<h3>Evan Williams Bourbon</h3>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5499ca266da811d80b5ef5fb-780-1040/972e1410-6a91-0132-436c-0ebc4eccb42f.jpeg" alt="a4" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>I thought this one might be good since I was drinking Southern Comfort (non-alcoholic) eggnog and maybe it would pair well, but I was wrong. Whiskey is for elderly writers, not for me.</p>
<p>Taste: 2/10. Really. Not. Good.</p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 2/10</p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: We were split on this drink. I hated it, and my guests thought it was just OK.</p>
<p>Overall: 4/10</p>
<h3>(ri) Whiskey</h3>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5499ca736da8119f0b5ef5fb-780-1040/972b23b0-6a91-0132-435e-0ebc4eccb42f.jpeg" alt="a5" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>This is almost the same as above, but in a prettier bottle. It was slightly better than Evan Williams, but not by much.</p>
<p>Taste: 4/10. Not. Good.</p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 4/10. The bottle, you guys. I want to give it as a present it’s so cute.</p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: We all thought this one was just meh.</p>
<p>Overall: 4/10</p>
<h3>Applejack</h3>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5499caa56da811710c5ef5fb-780-1040/972b6270-6a91-0132-4372-0ebc4eccb42f.jpeg" alt="a6" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>I like apples, and I like people named Jack, so it’s no surprise that I like Applejack. That’s how it works, right? It paired pretty nicely with eggnog. It probably would be better as a fall drink though. A nice mulled cider, perhaps?</p>
<p>Taste: 6/10. Good, but not great.</p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 5/10</p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: We all agreed it would have been nice to have this around back in October.</p>
<p>Overall: 6/10</p>
<h3>Four Roses Bourbon</h3>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5499cb2d6da8115a0e5ef5fb-780-1040/972c1410-6a91-0132-1828-0a7dfd902b7c.jpeg" alt="a7" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>This one kind of tasted like a hangover waiting to happen.</p>
<p>Taste: 4/10. Not great, but not the worst.</p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 3/10</p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: My crowd thought this one was just not good. I think I spiked it a little too much.</p>
<p>Overall: 4/10</p>
<h3>Midnight Moon: Apple Pie</h3>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5499cb64eab8eab8318ef5b5-780-1040/9724abc0-6a91-0132-1824-0a7dfd902b7c.jpeg" alt="a8" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>I was really hoping this one would be the greatest, if only because I have all of this apple pie moonshine and no use for it. But the results were similar to that of the Applejack. It would make a better fall drink. I guess I’ll just have to keep it around until next year.</p>
<p>Taste: 5/10</p>
<p>Holiday spirit-ness: 6/10. This was definitely seasonal… we’re just in the wrong season.</p>
<p>Crowd pleaser: We were split on this drink. I didn’t like it, and my guests thought it was just OK.</p>
<p>Overall: 5/10</p>
<h3>And the winner is…</h3>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5499cbb0ecad04406060ef3a-780-1040/5c738fc0-6a94-0132-435e-0ebc4eccb42f.jpeg" alt="a9" border="0" width="800"></p>
<p>If you are going to spike your eggnog, go all the way with peppermint schnapps. It’s the ultimate holiday drink.</p>
<h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-party-hacks-to-save-you-prep-time-2014-11">4 Hacks For Any Holiday Party</a>
</h3>
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<p class="embed-spacer"></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/keep-bottle-wine-fresh-after-opening-uncorked-2014-12" >How To Get A Few More Days Out Of An Opened Bottle Of Wine</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-alcohol-goes-best-with-eggnog-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/where-tech-billionaires-vacation-2014-12Here's Where Tech Billionaires Are Escaping To This Holiday Seasonhttp://www.businessinsider.com/where-tech-billionaires-vacation-2014-12
Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:25:00 -0500Madeline Stone
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53ac7706ecad04cf092ad277-1170-878/michael-dell-hawaii-2.jpg" border="0" alt="michael dell hawaii"></p><p>Everyone needs to take a vacation every once in a while, especially during the holidays.</p>
<p>But vacation means something a little different when you're a millionaire or billionaire.</p>
<p>From massive island retreats to private superyachts, these tech executives' second homes take luxury vacations to the next level.&nbsp;</p><h3>Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg recently bought a 750-acre property on the North Shore of Kauai. He paid a reported $100 million for the property, which includes a white-sand beach and former sugarcane plantation.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/544fa72c6bb3f72a5db3adc4-400-300/facebook-billionaire-mark-zuckerberg-recently-bought-a-750-acre-property-on-the-north-shore-of-kauai-he-paid-a-reported-100-million-for-the-property-which-includes-a-white-sand-beach-and-former-sugarcane-plantation.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><em>Source: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg-hawaiian-property-photos-2014-10">Forbes</a></em></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>When Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen isn't cruising the high seas on one of his superyachts, he can relax at one of his many luxurious retreats. In addition to an island in Washington and a beachfront Hawaiian estate, Allen owns a hilltop mansion on the Côte d'Azur called the Villa Maryland. He employs a staff of 12 and counts Bono and Andrew Lloyd Webber as neighbors.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/544faab1ecad04e449b3adc5-400-300/when-microsoft-billionaire-paul-allen-isnt-cruising-the-high-seas-on-one-of-his-superyachts-he-can-relax-at-one-of-his-many-luxurious-retreats-in-addition-to-an-island-in-washington-and-a-beachfront-hawaiian-estate-allen-owns-a-hilltop-mansion-on-the-cte-dazur-called-the-villa-maryland-he-employs-a-staff-of-12-and-counts-bono-and-andrew-lloyd-webber-as-neighbors.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><em>Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2011/04/18/microsoft-cofounder-paul-allens-idea-of-a-billionaire-boys-club.php">Curbed</a></em></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff loves all things Hawaii. He wears Hawaiian shirts to work and even named his dog "Koa," after a type of Hawaiian tree. He also owns a 5-acre estate on the Big Island, which he purchased for $12.5 million in 2000.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53ac581a6bb3f760212ad27c-400-300/salesforce-ceo-marc-benioff-loves-all-things-hawaii-he-wears-hawaiian-shirts-to-work-and-even-named-his-dog-koa-after-a-type-of-hawaiian-tree-he-also-owns-a-5-acre-estate-on-the-big-island-which-he-purchased-for-125-million-in-2000.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p><em>Source: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB114852253987662635">Wall Street Journal</a>, <a href="http://www.honolulumagazine.com/core/pagetools.php?pageid=7917&amp;url=/Honolulu-Magazine/September-2010/The-25-Most-Expensive-Homes-in-Hawaii/&amp;mode=print">Honolulu Magazine</a></em></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/where-tech-billionaires-vacation-2014-12#google-chairman-eric-schmidt-has-a-72-million-yacht-called-the-oasis-which-he-uses-to-sail-to-the-french-riviera-and-other-destinations-the-yacht-has-plenty-of-amenities-including-a-pool-jet-skis-and-a-gym-that-can-be-converted-into-a-disco-he-and-estranged-wife-wendy-also-own-homes-in-nantucket-and-montecito-california-in-addition-to-their-primary-residence-in-atherton-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/diy-holiday-gift-ideas-from-pinterest-2014-1215 DIY Gift Ideas From Pinteresthttp://www.businessinsider.com/diy-holiday-gift-ideas-from-pinterest-2014-12
Sat, 20 Dec 2014 13:30:00 -0500Madeline Stone
<h2><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/diy-holiday-gift-ideas-from-pinterest-2014-12">Click here to see the gifts »</a></h2><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/diy-holiday-gift-ideas-from-pinterest-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/free-shipping-day-best-stores-2014-12Over 1,000 Stores Are Offering Free Shipping Today — Here Are Our Favoriteshttp://www.businessinsider.com/free-shipping-day-best-stores-2014-12
Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:43:35 -0500Insider Picks
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/524760f96bb3f7ad62cbc049-1200-924/rtr3bbz7.jpg" border="0" alt="shopping bags retail sales"></p><p></p>
<p>Today, December 18, 2014 is Free Shipping Day. It may be a retail gimmick to drive purchases before the holidays, but it's done with the guarantee that it'll get to you by Christmas. Over 1,000 stores are participating, but we've rounded up the best ones below:</p>
<p><strong>Clothing:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com">Bergdorf Goodman (use code "BGGIFT")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.billskhakis.com">Bill's Khakis (use code "BKSHIP")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.brooklynindustries.com">Brooklyn Industries (use code "SHIPDAY2014")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hm.com">H&amp;M</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.jcrew.com">J. Crew (use code "Jingle")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.llbean.com">L.L. Bean</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.us.levi.com">Levi's</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.luckybrand.com">Lucky Brand</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.madewell.com">Madewell</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.niemanmarcus.com">Nieman Marcus (use code "NMRUSH")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nordstrom.com">Nordstrom</a><a href="http://www.ralphlauren.com"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ralphlauren.com">Ralph Lauren (use code "FREESHIP")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com">Sak's Fifth Avenue (use code "HOLIDAY")</a></p>
<p><a href="Yoox.com">Yoox</a></p>
<p><strong>Accessories:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.jackspade.com">Jack Spade</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ray-ban.com">Ray Bans</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.shinola.com">Shinola Watches&nbsp;</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theartofshaving.com">The Art of Shaving</a></p>
<p><strong>Shoes:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.store.nike.com">Nike</a><a href="http://www.piperlime.com"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.piperlime.com">Piperlime</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.puma.com">Puma</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.zappos.com">Zappos</a></p>
<p><strong>Workout:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.underarmour.com">Under Armour (use code "FREESHIPUA")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sportsauthority.com">Sports Authority</a></p>
<p><strong>Home/Outdoor:<a href="http://www.store.nike.com"></a></strong><a href="http://www.store.nike.com"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cabelas.com">Cabelas (use code "4FREESHIP")</a><a href="http://www.lecreuset.com"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.lecreuset.com">Le Creuset Cookware (use code "FREESHIPDAY")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.rei.com">REI</a><a href="http://www.target.com"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.target.com">Target (use code "JOY30")</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.westelm.com">West Elm (use code "GETGIFTING")</a></p>
<p>The full list of stores is available <a href="http://www.freeshippingday.com/">here</a>.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/four-drones-to-help-you-start-flying-2014-12" >The Drone Gift Guide: Four Drones To Help You Start Flying [Up To 55% Off]</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/free-shipping-day-best-stores-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/diy-holiday-gift-ideas-from-pinterest-2014-1215 Smart DIY Holiday Gift Ideas From Pinteresthttp://www.businessinsider.com/diy-holiday-gift-ideas-from-pinterest-2014-12
Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:28:05 -0500Madeline Stone
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5490a2c3eab8eaa21e701787-1200-900/diy_gift guide.png" border="0" alt="DIY_Gift Guide"></p><p>A thoughtful gift you made yourself says even more than a high price tag.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Pinterest is a major destination for crafty people looking for inspiration. We <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/explore/diy-gifts/">prowled Pinterest</a> to find some of the best DIY treasures that you can gift your loved ones this holiday season.&nbsp;</p>
<p>With these homemade gifts, you could even avoid the mall altogether.</p><h3>Make your favorite photographer a more stylish camera strap.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/548f101d6bb3f7754c46bc76-400-300/make-your-favorite-photographer-a-more-stylish-camera-strap.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Using a scrap of leather and two split rings, sew a floral scarf together so that it can be used to carry a camera.</p>
<p>You can use a sewing machine if you have a needle that's able to be used on leather. Otherwise, you'll need to hand stitch it.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.lauraashley.com/in-the-wardrobe/make-do-diy-camera-strap/"><em>Click here to see how to make it &raquo;</em></a></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Give the ingredients for a delicious adult treat.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/548f100aecad045f715c33d5-400-300/give-the-ingredients-for-a-delicious-adult-treat.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Even adults love hot chocolate.&nbsp;All you'll need for this one is a mason jar, cocoa mix, marshmallows, and a shot-size bottle of Bailey's.</p>
<p>The recipient should make the hot chocolate as they normally would, then add the alcohol to taste.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.good-n-you.com/2011/12/christmas-eves-eve.html"><em>Click here to see how to make it &raquo;</em></a></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Sew pouches that can keep your hands warm on snow days.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/548f0495ecad04912e5c33d8-400-300/sew-pouches-that-can-keep-your-hands-warm-on-snow-days.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Use cute fabric to sew together 3-inch squares, then fill them three-fourths of the way with rice.</p>
<p>To warm them up, put them in the microwave for 20 seconds or so.</p>
<p><a href="http://raeannkelly.com/a-little-cozy-goes-a-long-way-and-a-hand-warmer-diy/"><em>Click here to see how to make it &raquo;</em></a></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/diy-holiday-gift-ideas-from-pinterest-2014-12#craft-stretchy-headbands-for-the-kids-in-your-life-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/russian-state-tv-just-ran-this-incredibly-racist-segment-on-whose-company-to-avoid-for-new-years-2014-12Russian State TV Just Ran A Bigoted Segment On What Races To Shun On New Year'shttp://www.businessinsider.com/russian-state-tv-just-ran-this-incredibly-racist-segment-on-whose-company-to-avoid-for-new-years-2014-12
Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:42:00 -0500Glenn Kates
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5491c5c369beddf40e94f5a0-913-564/russia state tv holiday segment racist.png" border="0" alt="Russia State TV Holiday Segment Racist"></p><p>You always want to avoid drinking with somebody during the holiday season.</p>
<p>Maybe it's that politically incorrect uncle of yours. Or maybe it's a nagging in-law.</p>
<p>The well-known host of a health show on Russian state-run First Channel has another suggestion: shun those whom she calls "people of the Mongoloid race."</p>
<p>But it's for their own protection, of course.</p>
<p>The segment, titled "whom not to drink with on New Year's" begins with Yelena Malysheva, host of the program "Live Healthfully," inviting an audience member up on stage.</p>
<p>A man named Shukrat, who identifies himself as an Uzbekistan native, is met with hearty laughter when he explains that he "wouldn't want to drink with the police or the Federal Migration Service."</p>
<p>Then Malysheva gets into the meat of her presentation, noting that Russians are "a white race, a Slavic one " and "now we will talk about what race not to drink with on New Year's."</p>
<p>And just so there's no misunderstandings, she adds, "There is no discrimination here, just an understanding of the physiology that makes every race different."</p>
<p>Shukrat then cuts in, noting that he "grew up in the Soviet Union, so I'm not a nationalist" and "can drink with black people and all people, to be honest."</p>
<p>Malysheva reiterates that "when we talk about who not to drink with this New Year's, we do not mean to cast scorn on anyone. We're talking about the threat to their own health."</p>
<p><iframe width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/R2RXtEUzQyc"></iframe></p>
<p>She then turns to Dmitry Shubin, a "doctor" on her team and asks him to explain who not to drink with.</p>
<p>"In the interests of safety, one shouldn't drink — no, not shouldn't but mustn't — drink with people who come from the Mongoloid race," Shubin says, using a term to describe Asians that can be seen as derogatory. This group, he explains, includes Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, and others in the Russian Far North.</p>
<p>Perhaps worried there may be confusion, Malysheva, using her fingers to press her own eyes together, explains that these "Mongoloids" can be identified by their narrow eyes and round facial features.</p>
<p>Just in case it still isn't clear, she exhibits a slideshow of Asian-looking faces to avoid when in the presence of alcohol.</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5491bd986da8110f78fd439e-840-473/rferl russia state tv racist.png" border="0" alt="RFERL Russia State TV Racist">Shubin then explains the reasoning: Asians have a "genetic defect" that prevents them from properly metabolizing alcohol.</p>
<p>To demonstrate, he gives Shukrat and Malysheva liver-shaped containers, which are each apparently filled with black liquid (they don't actually show what's in Maysheva's container before the experiment). As they both pour alcohol into their respective livers, Shukrat's remains black. Malysheva's becomes clear.</p>
<p>"Mongoloid: people with narrow eyes and crescent-shaped faces — [for them] alcohol is toxic," Malysheva says, pointing to the fake liver a perplexed-looking Shukrat is holding. "And so the first people you should never drink with on New Year's are representatives of the Mongoloid race. It is bad for them"</p>
<p>Research has shown that some people of East Asian descent — about one-third <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/health/body-odd/asian-flush-red-flag-risk-cancer-f1C6437432" target="_blank">according to one expert</a>&nbsp;— have a gene that causes difficulty in breaking down alcohol that could lead to long-term health consequences.</p>
<p>But doctors don't generally recommend that non-Asians take the matter into their own hands by excluding people of Asian ethnicity from social drinking.</p>
<p>In Russia itself, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/health-25961063" target="_blank">according to a recent study</a> in "The Lancet" medical journal, a quarter of Russian men die before the age of 55 — a rate far higher than the rest of Europe. And one of the chief causes is excessive alcohol consumption.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/russian-state-tv-just-ran-this-incredibly-racist-segment-on-whose-company-to-avoid-for-new-years-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/google-holiday-parties-2014-12Here's What It's Like To Attend A Google Holiday Partyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/google-holiday-parties-2014-12
Sat, 13 Dec 2014 15:30:00 -0500Madeline Stone
<h2><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-holiday-parties-2014-12">Click here to see the party pictures »</a><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/12/rats-are-winning-their-war-on-conde-nast.html"></a></h2><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-holiday-parties-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/holiday-party-cocktail-womens-fashion-2014-12Glam Up Your Holiday Party Style With This Season's Trendshttp://www.businessinsider.com/holiday-party-cocktail-womens-fashion-2014-12
Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:49:50 -0500Insider Picks
<p class="p2"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/548b13236da8116e58cd3be9-887-665/dancing-couple-romance-drunk-dress-new-years-christmas-4.jpg" border="0" alt="dancing couple romance drunk dress new year's christmas">Everyone loves a good holiday party — the champagne, the eggnog, the sugar cookies.</span></p>
<p class="p2">But if you're going to one of these shindigs, you're going to want to look sharp.</p>
<p class="p2">This season the classic holiday trends are back: sparkles, deep reds, and bauble-like jewelry.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p2">If the event's a little on the fancy side, you'll definitely want to go for a cocktail dress and heels combo.</p>
<p class="p2">But if it's more low-key, a few great holiday-styled accessories are the way to go.</p>
<p class="p2">Happy holidays.</p>
<hr>
<h1 class="p1">The Cocktail Dress</h1>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/548b0243ecad041b0627d6fc-638-343/screen shot 2014-12-12 at 8.57.15 am.png" border="0" alt="cocktail dress saks fifth avenue"></p>
<p>Lace is still having a moment, so you can't go wrong with that. The dress on the far <strong>left</strong> is a great option for a early evening party since the white lace gives off a certain sweetness. The dress in the <strong>middle</strong> is your classic red holiday dress — this works great for a fancy work party, or a holiday party later in the evening. And if you're out with a group of friends — the dress on the <strong>right</strong> is the way to go.</p>
<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422146&amp;PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446676162&amp;R=883879656833&amp;P_name=Tadashi+Shoji&amp;N=306422146&amp;bmUID=kEYn0mX">Tadashi Shoji Belted Guipure Lace Dress</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">$328.00</span>&nbsp;<span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>$131.20</strong></span></em><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;"><em><br></em></strong></p>
<p class="p2"><a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422146&amp;PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446723130&amp;R=846153577507&amp;P_name=Halston+Heritage&amp;N=306422146&amp;bmUID=kEYcDdI">Halston Heritage One-Shoulder Ruched Dress</a> —&nbsp;<em>Price: <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">$375.00</span><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong> $225.00</strong></span></em></p>
<form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><span style="line-height: 1.5em; color: #222222;"></span><span class="s1" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422146&amp;PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446713787&amp;R=888246190392&amp;P_name=MILLY&amp;N=306422146&amp;bmUID=kEYcDd4">Milly Lace Bustier Dress</a> —&nbsp;</span><em>Price: <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">$350.00</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>$210.00</strong></span></em></form><hr>
<h1 class="p1">The Evening Clutch</h1>
<p><em style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><strong><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/548b02e6eab8ea772127d6fc-658-169/2-99.png" border="0" alt="holiday party clutch sparkly"><br></strong></em></p>
<p>For the holidays, you're best off going with a sparkly clutch. Stick with neutrals that will complement your look and that can be reused&nbsp;for going out, or even dressing up your basic jeans.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nina-glitter-clutch/3617841?origin=category&amp;BaseUrl=Clutches+%26+Evening+Bags">Nina Glitter Clutch</a>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">—</span><em>&nbsp;Price: $48.00</em></p>
<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/berry-swirl-beaded-clutch/3840002?origin=category&amp;BaseUrl=Clutches+%26+Evening+Bags">Berry 'Swirl' Beaded Clutch</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $58.00</em></p>
<form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><span></span><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/natasha-couture-crystal-clutch/3875957?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=BLACK&amp;resultback=8912&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-2_25_B">Natasha Couture Crystal Clutch</a> —&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $128.00</em></form><form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><hr>
<h1 class="p1">The Party Shoe</h1>
<p>&nbsp;<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/548b032aeab8ea082127d6fc-693-251/screen shot 2014-12-12 at 9.10.25 am.png" border="0" alt="nordstrom holiday party heels flats shoes"></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The strappy sandal trend is still going strong this year. If your calves are really slim, you should go with the black shoes on the </span><strong style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">left</strong><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> — the thicker strap balances out your legs better. Otherwise, the nude shoes in the&nbsp;</span><strong style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">middle</strong><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;are a great option because they'll give the illusion of longer, slimmer legs. Additionally, flats are really having a moment right now, so if you're a fan go for the shoes on the </span><strong style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">right</strong><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">. (Bonus points, your podiatry bill won't be as high.)</span></p>
<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/pelle-moda-kacey-sandal/3663915?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=&amp;resultback=7796&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-3_22_C">Pelle Moda "Kacey" Sandal</a> <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/pelle-moda-kacey-sandal/3663915?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=&amp;resultback=7796&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-3_22_C"></a>—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $159.95</em><span style="text-decoration: line-through;"><em><br></em></span></p>
<p><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ivanka-trump-loire-dorsay-flat-women/3815426?origin=category">Ivanka Trump "Loire" d'Orsay Flat</a><em> —&nbsp;<em>Price: $99.95</em></em></p>
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<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/steve-madden-stecy-sandal/3947625?origin=category">Steve Madden "Stecy" Sandal</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $79.95</em></p>
</form><form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><hr>
<h1 class="p1">The Statement Necklace</h1>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/548b0725eab8eae13427d6fe-672-293/screen shot 2014-12-12 at 9.25.20 am-1.png" border="0" alt="cocktail necklace holiday party statement"></p>
<p>Add some sparkle around your face with a statement necklace. We recommend picking one up that has a neutral sparkly front with a bow that ties in the back (it's like the gift-wrapped present of necklaces.)</p>
<p>Pro-tip: After the holiday season ends, you can dress up your basic white t-shirt with one of these.</p>
<p><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tasha-crystal-collar-necklace/3808672?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=Hematite%2F+Gold&amp;resultback=256&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_1_C">Tasha Crystal Collar Necklace</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> —&nbsp;</span><em style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Price: $72.00</em></p>
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<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tasha-pretty-pearl-ribbon-collar-necklace/3836319?origin=category&amp;BaseUrl=Necklaces">Tasha "Pretty Pearl" Ribbon Collar Necklace</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $68.00</em><span><em><br></em></span></p>
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<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tasha-ribbon-collar-necklace/3783409?origin=category&amp;BaseUrl=Necklaces">Tasha Ribbon Collar Necklace</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $68.00</em></p>
</form><form action="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html" method="GET"><hr>
<h1 class="p1">Sparkly Earrings</h1>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/548b04236bb3f7c44dcd3be9-676-299/screen shot 2014-12-12 at 9.38.14 am.png" border="0" alt="holiday party earrings sparkly fashion"></p>
<p>If your style is on the conservative end, the basic sparkly studs are a great option. However, if you're on the bolder end, try some drop earrings in a deep red, or sparkly chandelier earrings.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Additionally, if you're planning on wearing your hair in an up-do or ponytail, the chandelier and drop earrings are a great way to frame your face.</p>
<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nordstrom-boxed-round-2ct-tw-cubic-zirconia-earrings/2989890?origin=category">Boxed Round Cubic Zirconia Earrings</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $46.00</em><span style="text-decoration: line-through;"><em><br></em></span></p>
<p class="p2"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kendra-scott-elle-drop-earrings/3296281?origin=category">Kendra Scott "Elle" Drop Earrings</a> —&nbsp;<em>Price: $52.00</em></p>
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<p><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nadri-cubic-zirconia-chandelier-earrings-nordstrom-exclusive/3285456?origin=category">Cubic Zirconia Chandelier Earrings</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;<em>Price: $165.00</em></p>
<hr>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h1 class="p1">The Loud Cocktail Ring</h1>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/548b047269bedd675fcd3bf0-669-215/screen shot 2014-12-12 at 9.41.12 am.png" border="0" alt="cocktail ring holiday party jewelry fashion"></p>
<p>When it comes to cocktail rings, go big or go home. If you want to dive into the holiday vibe, a jewel tone color — like a deep indigo or red — is the way to go. But you want to try something a bit more fashion forward, check out this black cocktail ring.</p>
<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/judith-jack-bold-bijoux-cocktail-ring/3886320?origin=category">Judith Jack "Bold Bijoux" Cocktail Ring</a> —&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $148.00</em><span><em><br></em></span></p>
<p class="p2"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ariella-collection-boxed-oval-cocktail-ring/3890467?origin=category">Ariella Collection Boxed Oval Cocktail Ring</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;<em>Price: $58.00</em><span><em><br></em></span></p>
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<p><span class="s1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/natasha-couture-ottoman-statement-ring/3886123?origin=category&amp;BaseUrl=Jewelry">Natasha Couture "Ottoman" Statement Ring</a> —&nbsp;</span><em>Price: $36.00&nbsp;</em></p>
</form><p><strong>How about a drone?:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/spy-drone-video-picture-camera-deal-2014-11#ixzz3KDjGyxLY" >The Sleek Panther Drone Is The Perfect Way To Start Flying [55% Off]</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Looking for gadgets?&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insider-picks-wearable-tech-2014-11" >Here Are 15 Hi-Tech Timepieces You'll Actually Want On Your Wrist</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/holiday-party-cocktail-womens-fashion-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/christmas-beard-decorations-2014-12Hipsters Are Now Decorating Their Beards For Christmashttp://www.businessinsider.com/christmas-beard-decorations-2014-12
Thu, 11 Dec 2014 13:44:00 -0500Taylor Lorenz
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5489d4b1eab8ea77312f9998-1200-924/christmas-beard.jpg" border="0" alt="Christmas beard">Some show their holiday spirit by trimming a tree, others by trimming their beard. </span></p>
<p><span>Visual artist Katya Wildman documented a pack of these merry gentlemen in a photo series using her <span>Samsung Galaxy Note Edge handset. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The men's beards feature everything from candy canes to fake icicles. One man's face is almost entirely wrapped in mistletoe. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Wildman spent nearly six hours helping the men achieve the festive designs. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">There's no denying that beards are experiencing a boom in 2014. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Countless tumblrs are dedicated to documenting the most superior beard art, and one man has even used his beard to build a </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/incredibeard-story-2014-3">social-media empire</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. </span></p>
<p class="mol-para-with-font">Earlier this week, a London-based advertising agency began selling <a href="http://beardbaubles.tictail.com/product/beard-baubles">beard baubles</a>, <span>Christmas ornaments specifically meant to be hung by your beard. They </span>sold out within days. </p>
<p class="mol-para-with-font">The baubles sell for <span>$11 a pack and the agency is working hard to produce enough to keep them in stock. In the meantime, men will need to take a more DIY approach. </span></p>
<p class="mol-para-with-font">Here's some inspiration.</p>
<h3>One man's face is almost entirely covered in mistletoe.</h3>
<p class="mol-para-with-font"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5489d8fe69bedd1656c13811-1200-2000/15808900448_f6b2f3a7d4_o.jpg" border="0" alt="Christmas beard"></p>
<h3>Another's facial fuzz holds a robin's nest.</h3>
<p class="mol-para-with-font"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5489d98decad04fb4376a409-1200-2000/15995607622_848d8918d6_o.jpg" border="0" alt="Christmas beard"></p>
<h3 class="mol-para-with-font">The men in the photo series all hail from Shoreditch, often called the "Brooklyn of London."</h3>
<p class="mol-para-with-font"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5489db36eab8eabf4c2f9992-1200-2000/15810552037_b58285fea5_o.jpg" border="0" alt="Christmas beard"></p>
<h3>If you want to try the look yourself, you can purchase beard baubles for only $11.00 a pack.</h3>
<p class="mol-para-with-font"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5489db736bb3f79a57e86714-1200-1715/beard%20baubles.jpeg" border="0" alt="beard baubles"></p>
<h3 class="mol-para-with-font">However, the company that produced the baubles has experienced such tremendous demand that they've gone out of stock.</h3>
<p class="mol-para-with-font"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5489dbba69bedd9962c1380c-1000-1302/beardb3.jpeg" border="0" alt="beardb3"></p>
<h3 class="mol-para-with-font">The baubles contain tiny bobby pins that allow them to be attached to your beard.</h3>
<p class="mol-para-with-font"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5489dbf96da8110b74e86715-1000-1302/beardb2.jpeg" border="0" alt="beardb2"></p>
<p class="mol-para-with-font"> </p>
<h3><strong>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/playboy-successor-hugh-hefner-playmate-2014-12">Hugh Hefner's 23-Year-Old Son Has A Plan To Redefine The Playmate</a></strong></h3>
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<p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-holiday-light-displays-2014-12" >The Best Places To See Christmas Lights, According to Pinterest</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/christmas-beard-decorations-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/google-holiday-parties-2014-12Google Has Thrown Some Over-The-Top Holiday Parties This Yearhttp://www.businessinsider.com/google-holiday-parties-2014-12
Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:48:00 -0500Madeline Stone
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/54873cd2eab8ea55799000d3-701-525/google-holiday-party-2.png" border="0" alt="google holiday party"></p><p>Google sure <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-halloween-party-2014-10">knows how</a> to throw a party. </p>
<p>Now that the holiday season is in full swing, Googlers everywhere are enjoying swanky company events in some amazing places.</p>
<p>From an Indiana Jones-themed bash in a Los Angeles theater to a soiree at a San Francisco winery, here are some of the parties Googlers attended with their respective teams this weekend.</p><h3>Google's People Operations team celebrated at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.</h3>
<p><biembeddedobject id="88c1e379-d8c7-4690-db77-73b0d04c535d" style="width: 800px; height: 500px;" class="instagram mceNonEditable">Instagram Embed:<br />http://instagram.com/p/wQWgh5Nh61/embed/<br />Width: 800px</biembeddedobject>
<p class="embed-spacer">&nbsp;</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>There was a very fancy bar set up. </h3>
<p><biembeddedobject id="6dd33317-6ebf-4a21-a12b-50925027c6a5" style="width: 800px; height: 500px;" class="instagram mceNonEditable">Instagram Embed:<br />http://instagram.com/p/wQc_XOIkwr/embed/<br />Width: 800px</biembeddedobject>
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<br/><br/><h3>And guests could get their caricatures drawn.</h3>
<p><biembeddedobject id="f0d5a1a7-ee11-4b2f-ae27-6cd02195c11c" style="width: 800px; height: 500px;" class="instagram mceNonEditable">Instagram Embed:<br />http://instagram.com/p/wR2Xt3sV0T/embed/<br />Width: 800px</biembeddedobject>
<p class="embed-spacer">&nbsp;</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-holiday-parties-2014-12#one-highlight-was-this-massive-snow-globe-that-people-could-go-inside-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/best-secret-santa-gifts-under-25-2014-1125 Awesome Gifts Under $25 For Your Office Secret Santahttp://www.businessinsider.com/best-secret-santa-gifts-under-25-2014-11
Fri, 05 Dec 2014 11:06:11 -0500Lauren Browning
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/546e4f6e6da811c76b3cffd9-1200-900/secret santa_gift guide.png" border="0" alt="Secret Santa_Gift Guide"></p><p>Finding the perfect gift for a coworker in your office Secret Santa pool can be tricky.&nbsp;</p>
<p>You have to stay under a set price limit while buying a gift for someone you may not even know.</p>
<p>We found 25 office-appropriate gifts under $25 to accommodate every type of coworker.</p><h3>Keep your coworker caffeinated with a travel coffee mug. </h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/546660d169bedd8171bdaeeb-400-300/keep-your-coworker-caffeinated-with-a-travel-coffee-mug.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Everyone needs a little pick-me-up in the mornings, so your colleague will appreciate a cup that keeps his coffee warm without burning his hands.</p>
<p>If you have some extra money in your Secret Santa budget, buy your coworker a gift card to his favorite coffee shop.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C1X7QF6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00C1X7QF6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi25under25-20&amp;linkId=NUIHEAFRLPRDSOH7">$10</a>-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PY7AYS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B002PY7AYS&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi25under25-20&amp;linkId=VNNC3SHWDNUX2HZL">$20</a></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Fitness freaks will love guided workouts from a fitness fan.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/54666a84eab8ea8a61424100-400-300/fitness-freaks-will-love-guided-workouts-from-a-fitness-fan.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Fitness fans will give your coworker guided workout instructions for a yoga, cardio, or strength training.</p>
<p>The fans have comprehensive workouts for every skill level. It's like having having your own personal trainer.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Price:</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0971245614/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0971245614&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi25under25-20&amp;linkId=53TUITTIFQQZS6RM">$13</a></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Liven up work happy hours with Cards Against Humanity. </h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/54666af6eab8eacd624240ff-400-300/liven-up-work-happy-hours-with-cards-against-humanity.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>This popular game is very fun and a great ice breaker. The idea is simple: match two cards to make the funniest combination of bizarre verbs and nouns.</p>
<p>The politically incorrect game will spice up after work happy hours, dinner parties, or game nights.</p>
<p><strong>Price:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S8F7QM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B004S8F7QM&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi25under25-20&amp;linkId=V6LYTXICCLFDKK2Z">$25</a></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-secret-santa-gifts-under-25-2014-11#for-the-coworker-who-is-constantly-dropping-banging-up-or-breaking-his-or-her-phone-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/most-people-tip-at-the-holidays-2014-12Most Americans Spend More Than $150 On Holiday Tipshttp://www.businessinsider.com/most-people-tip-at-the-holidays-2014-12
Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:16:00 -0500Sarah Schmalbruch
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5481ed2fecad04571e8b4567-600-/doorman-shoveling-snow-1.jpg" border="0" alt="doorman shoveling snow" width="600"></p><p>Tipping isn't just for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/easy-ways-calculate-tip-fast-2014-10">restaurant servers</a>.</p>
<p>When the holidays roll around, you might want to show appreciation — in the form of a little cash — to the service people who make your year easier, from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tip-for-the-holidays-2014-12">housekeeper to hairstylist</a>.</p>
<p>If you haven't considered who you'll be tipping this year, and how much, you'll probably want to give it some thought. According to a survey from <a href="https://www.care.com/a/holiday-tipping-guide-1111180654">Care.com</a>, nearly 70% of people give holiday tips.</p>
<p>And we're not talking a few extra dollars. Almost half of respondents said they tip $150 or more during the holiday season.</p>
<p>The most popular people to tip are those in child care (babysitters, nannies, and daycare workers), home care (housekeepers, landscapers, and handymen), and personal care (hairstylists, manicurists, and personal trainers).&nbsp;</p>
<p>And better get thinking, because according to the survey, nearly half of your fellow tippers are handing over cash in early December.</p>
<p>Take a look at the infographic below to see how people feel about holiday tipping, why they do it, and when they do it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5480d60aeab8ea3545a28270-750-1016/holiday tipping inforgraphic.jpeg" border="0" alt="Holiday Tipping Inforgraphic"></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/easy-ways-calculate-tip-fast-2014-10" >How To Calculate The Tip Without Using Your Smartphone</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/most-people-tip-at-the-holidays-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/11-entirely-free-ways-to-enjoy-the-holidays-2014-1211 Entirely Free Ways To Enjoy The Holidayshttp://www.businessinsider.com/11-entirely-free-ways-to-enjoy-the-holidays-2014-12
Tue, 02 Dec 2014 10:47:34 -0500Shifrah Combiths
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/547ca4976da811055e14ab26-600-/decorating-christmas-tree.jpg" border="0" alt="Decorating Christmas Tree" width="600"></p><p>Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving or visiting loved ones as guests, whether your gathering consists of two or thirty, the holiday feeling we all hope for can be summed up in the following all-encompassing phrase:&nbsp;<em>love and be loved.</em></p>
<p>Ranging from physical ways to set the mood, to some unseen ways to make the holiday more meaningful, here are a few ways to add an extra touch of warmth and light to your special days.</p>
<h3><strong>1.&nbsp;</strong><strong>Laugh when things go wrong.</strong></h3>
<p>We had a special (unintentional) tradition a couple Thanksgivings in a row and it's called&nbsp;<em>Shifrah sets the marshmallows on fire</em>. Oh my. Luckily the singed marshmallows are easy to peel off, and hooray for an extra bag of minis! Hello, take two. We laughed about it when it happened, and we've laughed about it every year since.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Simmer something wonderful.</strong></h3>
<p>I've known about the heavenly smelling&nbsp;<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/5-simmer-pot-recipes-to-make-y-129977">stove top simmers</a>&nbsp;for years. This year I want to actually do it. I think the key is throwing everything in a bag, ready to go, ahead of time so I'm not trying to "cook" up a nice smell when I'm trying to cook the pumpkin cheesecake.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Don't fight.</strong></h3>
<p>It happens to us all. The stress of the holidays, being together in close quarters, many petty resentments creeping in — but do whatever you can to let bygones be bygones, forgive one another, and be truly grateful for your time together. No one knows what the next year will bring, but you can savor the time with loved ones at the table right now.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Say it out loud.</strong></h3>
<p>Are you so happy to spend another Thanksgiving with your 96-year-old grandmother? Tell her. Tell her how much it means to you to be together, for her to see your children, to be able to hear her sage advice. Take the opportunity to tell your mother thank you for making the key lime pie she's been making for thirty years. Being open in this way will warm people's hearts, a feeling that will fill the home.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Let it go.</strong></h3>
<p>Didn't get to the finishing touches on the guest room? Forgot to clean the mirrors in the bathrooms? Just let it go. Everyone wants to be&nbsp;<em>with you&nbsp;</em>more than they want a perfect setting. Let them.</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/547c9b1aecad043143b2c11c-969-726/christmas-candles.jpg" border="0" alt="Christmas Candles"></p>
<h3><strong>6.&nbsp;</strong><strong>Light candles.</strong></h3>
<p>These touches of light really do add instant warmth and festivity to any occasion, so make it part of your daily routine at this time of year. Remember to use unscented candles at the table, and to place them out of the way of children or animals who may knock them over.</p>
<h3><strong>7. Do something together.</strong></h3>
<p>You're already together, yes, you're having Thanksgiving together. But engaging in an activity as a group is really special and fun. I have fond, fond memories of my elegant grandparents playing charades in my great-aunt's living room. Do something the whole family can participate in that brings everyone just a bit closer together.</p>
<h3><strong>8. Take a walk.</strong></h3>
<p>Sometimes a little change of scene does wonders. And when you return to a warm house with a cozy fire, everyone is extra grateful for hearth and home. Step outside (or send everyone outside if you need a bit of quiet) and enjoy the weather and each other's company. (Leave the phones in the house.)</p>
<h3><strong>9. Involve the children.</strong></h3>
<p>Whether it's letting them help you peel apples or having them make personalized turkeys out of tracings of their hands, getting the kids involved in the festivities makes them feel like they are contributing rather than getting in the way and it also keeps them constructively occupied.</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/547dde45ecad047c016044d2-1200-924/macys-holiday-window-display-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Macy's holiday window display"></p>
<h3><strong>10. Don't forget the hostess gift.</strong></h3>
<p>If you're going to someone's home for Thanksgiving, don't just bring your contribution to the meal; consider a little something special for your hosts, something personal and special. This could be a thing or an action.</p>
<p>For instance, offer to watch all the kids sometime during the weekend so your hosts can go out for a date without worrying about a babysitter. Or help your sister with the closet-cleaning-out project she can't seem to get to on her own. Giving your time and skills to a loved one in a meaningful way is often the best gift.</p>
<h3><strong>11. Do something for others.</strong></h3>
<p>With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Amazon Lighting Deals, and Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving can quickly turn into a<em>me me me me me</em>&nbsp;consumer-fest. Remember those less fortunate and&nbsp;<em>do something to help</em>. Find out beforehand where you can volunteer, what you can donate, and how you can set an example of getting outside of your own world to better someone else's. Doing this together is particularly special, memorable, and impactful for all involved.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/earn-extra-holiday-cash-personal-shopping-2014-11" >Here's An Easy Way To Earn Extra Cash Around The Holidays </a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/11-entirely-free-ways-to-enjoy-the-holidays-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/r-amazon-rolls-out-kiva-robots-for-holiday-season-onslaught-2014-12Amazon Has Installed 15,000 Warehouse Robots To Deal With Increased Holiday Demandhttp://www.businessinsider.com/r-amazon-rolls-out-kiva-robots-for-holiday-season-onslaught-2014-12
Mon, 01 Dec 2014 06:22:00 -0500Deepa Seetharaman
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/547c4b855afbd356118b4569-450-300/amazon-rolls-out-kiva-robots-for-holiday-season-onslaught.jpg" border="0" alt="Kiva robots transport goods at an Amazon Fulfillment Center, ahead of the Christmas rush, in Tracy, California, November 30, 2014. REUTERS/Noah Berger "></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">TRACY, Calif (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc has installed more than 15,000 robots across 10 U.S. warehouses, a move that promises to cut operating costs by one-fifth and get packages out the door more quickly in the run-up to Christmas.</span></p>
<p>The orange 320-pound (145 kg) robots, which scoot around the floor on wheels, show how Amazon has adopted technology developed by Kiva Systems, a robotics company it bought for $775 million in 2012. Amazon showcased to media on Sunday ahead of Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year.</p>
<p>The robots are designed to help the leading U.S. online retailer speed the time it takes to deliver items to customers and better compete with brick-and-mortar stores, where the bulk of Americans still do their shopping.</p>
<p>The robots also may help Amazon avoid the mishaps of last year's holiday season, when a surge of packages overwhelmed shipping and logistics company UPS and delayed the arrival of Christmas presents around the globe. Amazon offered shipping refunds and $20 gift cards to compensate customers.</p>
<p>Amazon deployed the robots this summer, ahead of the key holiday quarter, when the company typically books about one-third of its annual revenue. The updated warehouses are in five states -- California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Washington.</p>
<p>The move comes at a cost. Amazon estimated in June 2013 that it would spend about $46 million to install Kiva robots at its warehouse in Ruskin, Florida, including $26.1 million for the equipment, according to company filings to local government.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The Kiva robots have allowed Amazon to hold about 50 percent more items and shorten the time it takes to offer same-day delivery in several areas, said Dave Clark, senior vice president of worldwide operations and customer services.</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/546e542269bedd8741dac8f7/nov 20, 2014 15:49.gif" border="0" alt="Amazon Kiva" style="color: #000000; font-size: 15px;">At Amazon's warehouse in Tracy, California, workers stack goods in shelves carried by more than 1,500 Kiva robots, which use markings on the floor to navigate and form a "big block of inventory," Clark said.</p>
<p>Squeezing the racks of items closely together eliminates the need for workers to navigate aisles to collect items ordered by consumers. Now, a worker calls for specific items and the robot steers itself to their particular work station. Each robot can carry as much as 720 pounds.</p>
<p>In some cases, the robots have allowed Amazon to get packages out the door in as little as 13 minutes from the pick stations, compared to about an hour and a half on average in older centers.</p>
<p>"It's certainly proving out that it's justified itself," Clark said of the Kiva acquisition. "We're happy with the economics of it."</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">(Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman; editing by Keith Weir)</span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-amazon-rolls-out-kiva-robots-for-holiday-season-onslaught-2014-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/alibaba-singles-day-sales-2014-11This Is What It Looks Like When A Company Sells $9.3 Billion In Merchandise In A Single Dayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/alibaba-singles-day-sales-2014-11
Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:09:00 -0500Hayley Peterson
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5462140f6bb3f73c1a1952e6-1200-800/rtr4do77.jpg" border="0" alt="Singles Day" style="line-height: 1.5em;"></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Alibaba pulled in a record-breaking $9.3 billion in sales on Singles' Day, the biggest online shopping day in the world, the company said Tuesday.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The sales number blows past Alibaba's previous record of nearly $5.8 billion during the 24-hour period on Nov. 11 last year.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span>The company said it has already shipped more than 278 million orders, up from the 150 million packages it shipped last year. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5462140fecad04c937bca63b-1200-858/rtr4do72.jpg" border="0" alt="Singles Day"></span></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The shopping blitz is held every year on Nov. 11 (11/11) to celebrate Singles' Day, an</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> anti-Valentine's Day holiday that emerged in China two decades ago as a time for bachelors and bachelorettes to celebrate the single life.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Alibaba — China's largest e-commerce company — offers</span><span> deep discounts on everything from cars to clothes for the holiday. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5462178e6da811d63b1952e6-3000-2000/rtr3ac1y.jpg" border="0" alt="Here's an aerial view of a ZTO Express Delivery hub in Wuhan, Hubei following Singles' Day last year."></span></p>
<p>The company hopes to expand Singles' Day to global consumers by 2019, Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma said Tuesday in an interview with <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/102171362">CNBC</a>.</p>
<p>Here's a look at how much sales have grown for Alibaba's two e-commerce sites, Tmall and Taobao Marketplace, on the holiday over the years, according to <a href="https://www.techinasia.com/how-big-china-singles-day-spending-2014/">TechInAsia</a>. </p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/545d37ddecad04090ec556d7-562-754/screen%20shot%202014-11-07%20at%204.19.55%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Singles Day"></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Within the first several hours of the day, the company's sales eclipsed the $3.7 billion in online sales recorded last year on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday — the largest online sales days in the US.</span></p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/545d39c4ecad04c80bc556dd-1200-800/rtr3ac4s.jpg" border="0" alt="Singles Day"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Last year, Alibaba's websites were offering 50% discounts on items like </span><a href="http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a220m.1000858.1000725.98.nf545F&amp;id=12634979751&amp;areaId=&amp;user_id=742394639&amp;is_b=1&amp;cat_id=2&amp;q=%B9%E2%B9%F7%BD%DA%C0%F1%CE%EF&amp;rn=89c194fe86c850f879ab886bd2e8a429">boyfriend body pillows</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> and </span><a href="http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a220m.1000858.1000725.8.kWX5Q2&amp;id=35259292142&amp;areaId=&amp;user_id=1699795460&amp;is_b=1&amp;cat_id=2&amp;q=%B9%E2%B9%F7%BD%DA&amp;rn=c20f8b8c12c3d39585af157f911045e5">hoodies</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> that read "I am single because I am fat." Bargain hunters could also find deep discounts on crystal chandeliers, French wines, </span><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-07/china-singles-day-record-seen-as-bmws-sell-cheap-online.html">and even BMWs.</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5462178eecad04db46bca638-3000-2000/rtr3ac1z.jpg" border="0" alt="RTR3AC1Z"></strong>Business Insider's Lara O'Reilly <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-top-selling-brand-on-alibabas-singles-day-2014-11">reports</a> that 14 hours into the event<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">, Alibaba's top five selling brands ranked by gross merchandise value were:</span></p>
<p><strong>1) Xiaomi</strong> — <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-revenue-profits-2014-11?r=US">the Chinese smartphone company that is on pace to report $1 billion in profits this year </a></p>
<p><strong>2) Haier</strong> — the Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliances company</p>
<p><strong>3) Uniqlo</strong> — the Japanese apparel retailer</p>
<p><strong>4) Huawei</strong> — the Chinese multinational telecoms hardware and smartphone maker</p>
<p><strong>5) Linshimuye</strong> —the Chinese furniture retailer</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/alibaba-versus-amazon-2014-9" >The Key Differences Between Alibaba And Amazon In One Chart</a></strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/alibaba-singles-day-sales-2014-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/singles-day-is-chinas-cyber-monday-2014-11A Single Company Will Dwarf All Of America's Black Friday And Cyber Monday Online Sales On Tuesdayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/singles-day-is-chinas-cyber-monday-2014-11
Mon, 10 Nov 2014 09:28:00 -0500Hayley Peterson
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/527d58bd69beddb03d65990d-480-/rtx10kvc.jpg" border="0" alt="Singles' Day" width="480">Alibaba is gearing up for Tuesday, the world's biggest online shopping day of the year.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Called Singles' Day, the anti-Valentine's Day holiday emerged in China two decades ago as a time for bachelors and bachelorettes to celebrate the single life.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Since then, Alibaba — China's largest e-commerce company — has turned it into the greatest 24-hour cyberspending blitz in the world by offering deep discounts on everything from cars to clothes.</span></p>
<p>Sales on Singles' Day last year for Alibaba totaled $5.8 billion, up from $3.1 billion the previous year. By comparison, American consumers spent a total of $2.9 billion last year on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, the largest online sales days in the US.</p>
<p><span>Alibaba's Singles' Day sales this year are expected to reach more than $8 billion</span>, <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/102163022#.">CNBC reports</a>.</p>
<p>Here's a look at how much sales have grown for Alibaba's two e-commerce sites, Tmall and Taobao Marketplace, on Singles' Day over the years, according to <a href="https://www.techinasia.com/how-big-china-singles-day-spending-2014/">TechInAsia</a>. </p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/545d37ddecad04090ec556d7-562-754/screen%20shot%202014-11-07%20at%204.19.55%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Singles Day"></p>
<p>Last year, the websites were offering 50% discounts on items like <a href="http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a220m.1000858.1000725.98.nf545F&amp;id=12634979751&amp;areaId=&amp;user_id=742394639&amp;is_b=1&amp;cat_id=2&amp;q=%B9%E2%B9%F7%BD%DA%C0%F1%CE%EF&amp;rn=89c194fe86c850f879ab886bd2e8a429">boyfriend body pillows</a> and <a href="http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a220m.1000858.1000725.8.kWX5Q2&amp;id=35259292142&amp;areaId=&amp;user_id=1699795460&amp;is_b=1&amp;cat_id=2&amp;q=%B9%E2%B9%F7%BD%DA&amp;rn=c20f8b8c12c3d39585af157f911045e5">hoodies</a> that read "I am single because I am fat." Bargain hunters could also find deep discounts on crystal chandeliers, French wines, <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-07/china-singles-day-record-seen-as-bmws-sell-cheap-online.html">and even BMWs.</a> </p>
<p>The holiday hasn't always been about shopping. Five years ago, only about two dozen companies were offering discounts on Singles' Day, also known as "Double 11."</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/545d39c4ecad04c80bc556dd-1200-800/rtr3ac4s.jpg" border="0" alt="Singles Day"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Alibaba entered the game in 2009, and within three years, Singles' Day had become the biggest 24-hour shopping event in the world. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">American retailers planning to participate in this year's sales include Tesla and the apparel company Zara, according to <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-05/alibaba-looks-ahead-to-singles-day">Businessweek</a>.</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<h3><strong><br>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-facts-about-ikea-2014-11">11 Things You Didn't Know About Ikea</a></strong></h3>
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<p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/alibaba-versus-amazon-2014-9" >The Key Differences Between Alibaba And Amazon In One Chart</a></strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/singles-day-is-chinas-cyber-monday-2014-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-get-ready-for-a-monster-q4-2014-10CHART OF THE DAY: New Consumer Tech May Drive A Monster Holiday Seasonhttp://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-get-ready-for-a-monster-q4-2014-10
Fri, 03 Oct 2014 16:34:00 -0400Dave Smith
<p class="p1">The fourth tax quarter officially began Wednesday; it ends Dec. 31. This is typically the time where most tech companies make their biggest pushes of the year, announcing new products in the months and weeks leading up to the all-important holiday shopping season.<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="p1">This year, with tons of new products from some of the biggest tech companies like Apple and Google, <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/forecast-holiday-spending-will-drive-fourth-quarter-e-commerce-sales-to-nearly-100-billion-2014-10">BI Intelligence believes</a> this quarter will mark “an all-time high for online spending.” Based on its own estimates, <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/forecast-holiday-spending-will-drive-fourth-quarter-e-commerce-sales-to-nearly-100-billion-2014-10">BI Intelligence forecasts</a> close to $100 billion in online spending in the fourth quarter — a 16% jump from the same quarter a year ago — including 13% of that spending coming from purchases made on smartphones and tablets.</p>
<p class="p1">There are a ton of popular smartphones out there already, and Apple at the end of last month released its two new iPhones, which broke the company’s opening weekend sales records. It also will reportedly hold an event on Oct. 16 <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-will-announce-new-ipads-on-oct-16-2014-10">to reveal new iPads</a>, Mac computers, and more. Google is also expected to launch a new Nexus-branded smartphone and tablet this season, too. But purchasing goods online might be made significantly easier thanks to Apple’s new mobile payments platform, coming this month, which looks to make online payments exceedingly simple and secure.</p>
<p class="p1"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/542f045269bedd1a5f89a611-1200-900/bii-sai-cotd-holiday-spending-1.png" border="0" alt="bii sai cotd holiday spending"></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-the-connected-home-is-still-too-expensive-for-many-consumers-2014-10" >CHART OF THE DAY: The 'Connected Home' Is Still Too Expensive For Many Consumers</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-get-ready-for-a-monster-q4-2014-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/holiday-myths-debunked-2013-127 Of The Biggest Holiday Myths Debunkedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/holiday-myths-debunked-2013-12
Tue, 31 Dec 2013 11:10:00 -0500Marc Lallanilla
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52b490e56da811437ffdd81b-480-/santas-holiday-phone-booth.jpg" border="0" alt="santas holiday phone booth" width="480" /></p><p>The holiday season is filled with traditions like caroling, decorating with boughs of holly, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/blogs/how-to-survive-and-maybe-even-enjoy-this-years-holiday-parties">all sorts of partying</a>, drinking and unbridled merrymaking.</p>
<p>It might come as no surprise, then, that the holidays are also filled with some of the most durable myths, exaggerations, fictions and outright lies.</p>
<p>Here are some of the most enduring holiday myths. How many have you believed?</p>
<h3>Myth 1: The suicide rate jumps</h3>
<p>During the 2009-2010 holiday season, almost 50 percent of news articles in which&nbsp;<a href="http://www.livescience.com/37433-reasons-people-attempt-suicide.html" rel="nofollow">suicide</a>&nbsp;was mentioned perpetuated the story that the suicide rate peaks during the holidays, supposedly when some people feel alone or isolated from family and friends, according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center.</p>
<p>There's just one problem: The story is utterly false. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the suicide rate is actually&nbsp;<em>lowest</em>&nbsp;in December, and peaks in the spring and fall. "The holiday suicide myth supports misinformation about suicide that might ultimately hamper prevention efforts," according to the CDC website.</p>
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<h3>Myth 2: Weight gain is inevitable</h3>
<p>Everyone packs on the pounds after the holidays, right? All of those candies and sweets, and big meals and booze have led people to assume that the average American gains about 5 lbs. (2.3 kilograms) or more between Halloween and New Year's Day.</p>
<p>But a 2000 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the average person only puts on about 1 lb. (0.5 kg) during the holidays. The real problem occurs when people fail to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.livescience.com/20408-eating-schedule-weight-gain.html">lose any weight</a>&nbsp;after the holidays: "Since this gain is not reversed during the spring or summer months," the study authors wrote, "weight gain in the fall and winter probably contributes to the increase in body weight that frequently occurs during adulthood."</p>
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<h3>Myth 3: You lose most of your heat through your head</h3>
<p>In the years after World War II, the U.S. Army Field Manual claimed that 40 to 45 percent of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.livescience.com/34411-body-heat-loss-head.html" rel="nofollow">body heat is lost through the head</a>, and the story has been passed down from worried moms ever since.</p>
<p>But in 2006, skeptical scientists tested people in cold water (with and without wetsuits), and found that the head accounts for about 7 percent of the body's surface area, and the heat loss is fairly proportional to the amount of skin that's showing. At most, according to a 2008 report in the British Medical Journal, a person loses 7 percent to 10 percent of their body heat through their head.</p>
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<h3>Myth 4: A nip will warm you</h3>
<p>That warm, invigorating rush you feel after a sip of brandy might feel like a rush of heat, but actually, alcohol is a vasodilator (it increases the size of your blood vessels) and promotes the&nbsp;<em>loss</em>&nbsp;of heat from your body.</p>
<p>In fact, many cases of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.livescience.com/41730-hypothermia-terminal-burrowing-paradoxical-undressing.html" rel="nofollow">hypothermia</a>&nbsp;&mdash; a potentially deadly condition that results when your body's core temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) or lower &mdash; are brought on by overconsumption of alcohol. This winter, stay warm by staying dry, not drunk.</p>
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<h3>Myth 5: Tryptophan makes you sleepy</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.livescience.com/41543-thanksgiving-myth-busted-eating-turkey-won-t-make-you-sleepy.html" rel="nofollow">Tryptophan</a>&nbsp;is a component of the brain chemical serotonin, which gets converted into the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. And turkey does contain some tryptophan, but not nearly as much as some other foods.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>So why does a holiday turkey dinner make you so drowsy? Consider the mammoth amounts of carbohydrates you're also consuming &mdash; stuffing, potatoes and dessert &mdash; as well as the relaxing effects of alcohol, and it's surprising that anyone can keep their eyes open after a big holiday meal.</p>
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<h3>Myth 6: Poinsettias are toxic</h3>
<p>A popular seasonal plant, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.livescience.com/30980-poinsettia-flower-christmas-season-images.html" rel="nofollow">poinsettia</a>&nbsp;(<em>Euphorbia pulcherrima</em>) is a native of Central America. Some people, however, live in dread of the colorful flowering shrub, fearing that its leaves and petals contain deadly toxins.</p>
<p>Relax: Though the sap of a poinsettia might cause a rash to people with latex allergies (the plant contains several proteins that are also found in latex), a child who weighs 50 lbs. (23 kg) would have to eat more than 500 poinsettia leaves to reach a potentially dangerous dose &mdash; and since the leaves taste horrible, that's not likely to happen.</p>
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<h3>Myth 7: It's the worst time to drive</h3>
<p>It's true that the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays are dangerous times to be on the road, not only because of foul weather but also due to the number of boozy holiday revelers behind the wheel.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>But Memorial Day weekend is actually the worst time period in terms of fatal car accidents, according to 2010 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends round out the top three. The three days surrounding New Year's Eve, however, still constitute the period with the highest number of alcohol-related fatal car accidents. Either way, buckle up and be careful.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/holiday-myths-debunked-2013-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-discovery-2013-12Social Commerce Is About Inspiring Shoppers, Not About Getting Customers To Immediately Click And Buy http://www.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-discovery-2013-12
Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:15:00 -0500Cooper Smith
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/522a42cf69bedd852f7c37c7-400-/bii-social-media-fashion-1.png" border="0" alt="bii social media fashion" width="400" style="float: right;" />Social commerce has been misunderstood as simply transactional &mdash; as a means of getting consumers to click and buy. But the failure of &nbsp;Facebook's Gift Shop proved that this was not going to be social's role in e-commerce.<span>&nbsp;</span><span>If social commerce is ever going to fulfill its ambitions, it must go after all parts of the consumer purchase funnel.</span></span></p>
<p>To that end, Pinterest is creating a model for how social media is really going to drive retail. A <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile"><strong>recent report</strong></a> from <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile"><strong>BI Intelligence</strong></a> finds that the new social commerce model will be about inspiration and discovery.</p>
<p>For the report, <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">we analyzed the most recent data on social commerce and spoke to leaders in the social commerce space to understand how their companies are adding value at different stages of the retail and e-commerce process.</a>&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">To do so they're building social networks around e-commerce platforms, partnering with brands, or otherwise transforming social commerce's strengths in Pinterest-style digital window-shopping into a clear value proposition.</span></p>
<p><span><strong><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Access The Full Report, Graphics, And Data By Signing Up For A Free Trial Today &gt;&gt;</a></strong><br /></span></p>
<p><strong>Here's how social commerce companies are really driving sales:&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>It's not about click-to-buy:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Social commerce will never be what some have wanted it to be, an "Amazon killer."</a> It will be about enveloping the shopper in an experience, akin to a digital catalog or a virtual shopping mall.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>What will help social commerce grow as a sales driver?</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">The key is to help connect the funnel end-to-end, or to connect different mediums</a>&nbsp;&mdash; say, social media and TV&nbsp;&mdash; to help coax a consumer down the funnel. The shopper may not buy the first time, but social commerce will become a valuable link in the chain.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>There are a few ways to encourage purchases:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Retargeted advertising may be one missing link</a>. It enables social commerce to connect the sales funnel from end-to-end by serving ads that remind users of products they have browsed across the Web but have not yet purchased. So far, only Facebook has developed this capability.</li>
<li><strong>Also:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Clever merchandising and user interfaces allow for sticky merchant-to-consumer relationships that can help nudge a consumer toward purchase over time</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Finally, referrals shouldn't be discounted:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Another solution is for social commerce to develop as a sales referral engine, and take a cut of the sales</a>. If social commerce sites have a large enough audience, even a low referral and conversion rate will result in a good revenue stream. But tracking needs to improve.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<div><strong><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">In full, the report:</a></strong></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Explains how social commerce can play a role throughout each stage of the purchase funnel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Suggests how&nbsp;time-sensitive offers on social media can motivate users to snap out of casual browsing or social media-grazing and into a buying mood</a></li>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Looks at where each of the major social networks fits into the social commerce funnel; each one has a unique role to play</a></li>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Examines Facebook's &nbsp;success with its ad-retargeting platform, FBX</a></li>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Provides&nbsp;average order values and order volume for a leading social commerce platform</a></li>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Breaks down the share of social media-generated e-commerce sales for each social network</a></li>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Looks at the demographics of social commerce consumers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">Compares retail customer acquisition on Twitter, Facebook and more traditional digital methods such as search engines</a></li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The report also includes an <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">exclusive collection of charts and datasets</a>, and a <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">full-resolution version of our social commerce sales funnel graphic</a>. Subscribers to <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-and-the-purchase-funnel-2013-9?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=SC1113&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile">BI Intelligence</a> also have full access to our ongoing coverage of social commerce.&nbsp;</span></strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/522f3ad56bb3f7ec5943aca9-950-730/bii-social-commerce-funnel.png" border="0" alt="BII social commerce funnel" /><br /></span></strong></em></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/social-commerce-discovery-2013-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p>